Newland-Martin passing a loss for sport, outreach

SARAH NEWLAND-MARTIN, a household name with which the nurturing and transformation of countless young men is associated, is being hailed for her decades of commitment to youth, aquatics, and the Church.

She forged an exceptional career in social work, counselling, mentoring, and sat at the helm of the Kingston Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) as administrator and general secretary from May 1988 until the time of her passing yesterday. She was 75.

According to former Jamaica Olympica Association president, Mike Fennell, Newland-Martin underwent a procedure last week but later developed complications and was admitted to the intensive care unit at the Kingston Public Hospital.

Newland-Martin was born on August 5, 1946, and was educated at Princess Alice School for the Physically Handicapped, Holy Childhood High School, Henderson Secretarial College, Social Welfare Training Centre, University of the West Indies Extra Mural Centre, and the Jamaica Institute of Management.

DETERMINATION

The grit and determination of the paraplegic, who was born without legs, was demonstrated over her lifetime.

One of Newland-Martin’s stellar achievements can be traced back to 1965 when she was named Machado Sportswoman of the Year for being the only woman with a disability to complete the Cross The Harbour race – a two and a half mile swim in Kingston Harbour.

In a 2008 Gleaner article, her swim coach, George Lopez, recalled the absolute shock he felt when Newland-Martin told him she wanted to participate in the race.

But Newland-Martin was adamant despite her coach’s misgivings.

“I wanted to do it. I wasn’t worried about any of the things he told me about. I wanted to show my disabled colleagues that there was literally no mountain too high to climb,” she had said.

Her athletic career saw her representing Jamaica at the highest levels, winning close to 40 medals and setting world and Pan-American records.

In 1980, she was awarded the Order of Distinction in the class of officer, for her contribution to paraplegic sports.

Fennell, who counted as a good friend of Newland-Martin, told The Gleaner that he was saddened by her passing.

“She was the face of the Kingston YMCA and was the driving force behind the fantastic work that has been done at the institution. She was one of those who was never restricted by her physical disabilities from way back when she was an athlete,” Fennell said, adding that she was an inspiration to many.

APPEALS FOR DONATIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic when the revenues of the YMCA dried up, Newland-Martin made numerous appeals to the private sector and the wider public for donations to help keep the doors open.

“We can’t lock down after 101 years. It’s just not tenable. We have to continue our work with our youngsters. We have to save them,” she had said.

President of the Aquatics Sports Association of Jamaica, Martin Lyn, shared that Newland-Martin was a treasure to the association.

“Her entire life was spent developing sports and, in particular, we worked with her very closely with aquatics. She was very enthusiastic and vibrant and we often met to plan swim meets. She led the YMCA through ins and outs and was always steady in everything she did. We are very sad about her sudden passing,” Lyn said.

Newland-Martin was also an active member of the Bethel Baptist Church and was well known for her work with the vulnerable and marginalised.

Acting general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, Rev Merlyn Hyde-Riley, said she committed much of her life to raising awareness and providing education about disabilities.

“She was chair of the Ministry to Persons with Disabilities Committee up to earlier this year and spearheaded a project which saw the Jamaica Baptist Union producing a handbook entitled ‘Church of All and for All’ which speaks to the need for integration, inclusion, and interaction as we engage with people with disabilities,” Hyde-Riley said.

The acting general secretary added that she was also involved with the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network, a programme of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and was registered to represent the JBU at the upcoming WCC assembly.